Personal Narrative: Working In The Front

I want you to know just how much I miss you. Life has been very different out here living my life on the front lines. I miss running through the fields and playing baseball with you. I miss going down to the lake and fishing with you. I hope that you know that I would do anything to be with you right now but sadly I can’t. I have now realized war isn’t what it is made out to be. Some movies make soldiers out to be some extraordinary heroes and show that the good guys never die but that's not the case in the real battlefield. As it turns out underneath the uniform is just a normal person like me or you. Also, as it turns out the good guys die too, and a lot of them. Life in the trenches might be worse than it is made out to be. Living conditions

Have you ever been so desperate for something that you modify your motive in its entirety? Throughout my life I’ve found myself placed in this frightening situation multiple times; the most confusing of which would be what I’ve endured this year. People in their 20s have it rough. We’re old enough to feel like we’re supposed to know what we’re doing, yet young enough to roll in the tide aimlessly and clueless and it still be acceptable. Then there’s those of us who believe we’ve got it all figured out only to be proven tremendously wrong. I have learned, however, that being tremendously wrong can lead you right where you need to be.

It was the last inning, the count was two balls and two strikes with two outs. Our catcher calls a curveball, I move three steps to my right. Alex is in the stretch, he starts his motion towards home, the runner on first breaks for second base. The pitch is delivered and the ball is hit directly up the middle and over the pitcher’s head, coming from shortstop, I break to my left, I am about to catch the ball when I glance at the runner. He was sliding right into me, I caught the ball, jumped up, and threw the ball while in mid-air. It was a perfect throw, right to the first baseman’s chest. That was it, the game was over, we had just beaten the number one team in the country to advance to the world series! We all threw

When I first started doing my field experience last semester, I thought it was going to be easy dealing with children for a couple of hours a day. I was wrong though. Dealing with children who just got out of school, and who have been there for eight hours, was sometimes a handful. Last semester, it was difficult, but this semester was a little bit easier. My students were better, my availability to go was better, and it was a better experience this semester. These students showed me many more aspects that there is to teaching, and it was such a memorable experience being a tutor for two semesters.

As I sat down to write how I have improved and what my weaknesses are it took forever for anything to come to mind. I kept thinking, “Well I did improve on this, but I would still consider it a weakness.” I was staring at my blank page on my laptop and my outline I did not come with any ideas. I excel at writing, and punctuation; however, I struggle in writing a thesis, comma splices, and word choices.

My dad and I have always loved playing basketball together. Not only do we enjoy playing the sport, we are also avid fans, especially of the Xavier Musketeers. The court (our driveway), is where we have the most fun competing against each other. I remember one game especially well. “Make it-take it or horse?” my dad asked. “Make it-take it!” I responded. Those were always our favorite options, but I’m partial to one on one, make it take it. I was about 10 years old at the time and had managed to keep the game tied at 14 points. I had the ball with only 6 points to go. I was determined to get a quick layup, mainly because I knew I couldn’t lose the momentum which was so crucial in make it-take it. Despite my effort driving to the basket, I missed and he rebounded the ball. He retreated and shot a three. As I had feared, he made it easily. The score was 17-14, his ball again. I could feel the game slipping away from my control and played my best defense. I checked the ball back to him and right as it touched his hands, it left his hands. He shot a three from the same exact spot, with the same exact outcome, a perfect swoosh. I had lost. “Play again?” I

Every burdensome step strains my tender muscles; sweat drips into my eyes, stinging them with salt. I gulp for breath, but receive no air. I hear voices, but I can never articulate any response. I ignore all my senses and lunge forward. The only question that rings through my mind is why do I put myself through so much pain? The moment I participated in my first track event, freshman year I realized how much I enjoy running. Also how one moment has taught me the importance of family within a team, commitment, and encouragement.

I worked by myself for the most part, and was given tasks by either Tom Kelly or Eric Dykeman. I was given access to everything that Tom would tell me to do, and that includes seeing billing info, and on the bills I would you tell the company how much they owe the Chamber in dues, I also was to see why they left and complaints that they had. With Eric I would be given tasks like making schedules, finding people to contact for meeting, and to organize how the meeting was going to plan out. Almost every day was different, and there was always something to get done or to visit. I traveled with Eric a lot to the town of Braintree where there would be meeting, and I also traveled to see where they are trying to build more infrastructure. I would

As I sit on the toilet at 5:02 P.M. waiting for it to be 5:04 to find my answer. Negative or Positive? I walk into my room with the tests in my hand to show my fiancé, his big blue eyes lights up with excitement. I have taken four digital tests all saying negative. This particular test was different, there was a faint positive result! I didn’t think anything of it, because It wasn’t quite time for my period anyway. Soon enough, I would find out how accurate that last test was.

During my field experience, I have had the opportunity to be part of the CSI club, been on duty for lunch and helped out in SSR buddy! All of these different opportunities have given me moments of joy, uncomfortableness, and a sense of purpose!

At the beginning being a techie meant all I had to do is report to the office and do what we love best this was sort out end user issues. Never occurred to me how I dress or how my mannerism reflects the type of professional I am. I would report to the office with a T Shirt and If it was a Friday or working in the “Field”, I would wear sweat pants.

I sighed heavily. It was raining out, and I was at my part-time job which meant utter hell. It seemed like it was worse, shadier people tended to come here on days like this. My current job was McDonald’s, and it was in a plaza on an interstate in the middle of nowhere. Which means a lot of weird people.

I lived my formative years from 2006 to 2013. During these seven years, several political and social events took place that changed the world and impacted several individuals in various ways. A handful of these political and social events include things such as the United States electing its first black president, Barack Obama, implementing the Affordable Healthcare Act, and the fight for same sex marriage which prevailed in Maine during these years. These three events have given myself and others within my cohort the ability to grow and adapt with the times, paving the way for a more liberal view of the world. Along with social and political events, various aspects of pop-culture affected members of my age cohort. During this time, advancements in technology were increasing rapidly, allowing children to learn, watch television, movies, and play

There has been a change in life. I quit my job at Countdown. I could not stop thinking about work 24/7. Always wondering if they were going to call, then having a day off and go grocery shopping and they see me and then they call after I leave and get home. It was as if they figure “Oh Karen’s out shopping so she isn’t doing anything she can come in.” I just couldn’t settle into the day or night.

When I’m working on something creative, I keep my PC or my phone next to my bed. I seem to have the best ideas when I’m so tired I can’t keep my eyes open. I’ll get up and make notes. I commute a lot and driving seems to promote ideas as well.